Construction Management

Construction Management

Part 1

We all have a difference in our life ambitions. In life, I wanted to be in a career that is challenging and offers a diverse set of skills. I chose construction management because the job offers you both an office and field experience. It is a practical career that opens your mind to different kinds of challenges every day.

Success in any profession requires personal commitment, and it anchors on individual strengths. I have evaluated my self and realized that I am fit to be a construction manager. First, I am self-motivated/outgoing. This is a personal attribute that enables one to break all the obstacles that stand in their way as they pursue their career. Secondly, I am assertive in every endeavor, and that means that I will be able to handle every kind of project, and the related problems. I am also compassionate about other people’s wellbeing. I will be working in between two parties. I will link the contractors and the project owners, or the employees and the bosses. As such, I have to consider the wellbeing of both parties to the project.

Additionally, I am reliable and always good at what I do. This makes me always deliver the best. Finally, I have strong interpersonal skills. My job will involve a lot of liaisons, supervisions, and delegations. Such roles need interpersonal and communication skills.

There are two crucial requirements for one to qualify to be a construction manager. One has to be a holder of a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or related construction field. Candidates are also required to have taken a management course, or to have satisfactory on the job management experience. Construction managers are responsible for planning, budgeting, coordinating, and supervising construction projects right from the start to completion. According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook (2020), the national annual median salary for a construction manager is $93 370. There were 471800 jobs for construction managers in 2018. Projections indicate that the field has a brighter job outlook in the near future. This is because construction managers employment is expected to grow by 10% for 10 years. This means by 2028 there will be 518000 opportunities. This rate is much faster than the growth of other forms of jobs. Hence construction management is a promising career.

From Houston Community College Career Coach, the normal pay for a construction manager is $77 570 pa. Seemingly, construction managers are paid less in Houston as compared to the national median salary. The implication is that the salary for a construction manager differs based on aspects such as geographical location. Michael Page international, CyberCorders, and Growing People and Companies are the three companies offering the highest number of openings for construction managers in that order. Michael Page International has been praised for its for having experienced construction personnel. Also, their remunerations are recommended. However, what convinced me to work with this organization is the team spirit that makes you always feel alive. They also have programs for recruits to develop their expertise. This is made possible through a network of great companies that offer training and learning opportunities.

Part 2

            Like any other job, construction management requires job-related soft skills such as analytical skills, customer service skills, and creative problem-solving. Soft skills are mostly acquired through volunteer programs (Career Projections. (2018).  I think Micromentor is one of the organizational initiatives that can help me, especially with analytical skills. They need mentors in new business issues, which I believe comes with a lot of feasibility studies and analytics to plan for the future of the upcoming business (VolunteerMatch, 2020). Business analytics are common in construction management. Such experience will also improve my professional communication, which is essential in the construction arena when handling contracts. Solar United Neighbors with its community solar project is another opportunity that I can utilize. The volunteers are entrusted with planning, coordinating, and implementing the plan. Being involved in such a process improves not only critical thinking but also sound critical thinking. As such, I will be developing as a manager. The project itself is trying to solve the problem of global warming by making use of solar energy. The same experience, dealing with people, can be narrowed down to a workplace setting. Therefore, this project will be of help to me.

            In conclusion, becoming a construction manager is my dream career. However, it is a long journey that has obstacles to face. One such obstacle is competition. The construction sector is becoming overpopulated, and soon there will be more candidates than the market can absorb. To overcome this, I am going to read harder and pursue the relevant volunteer and charity programs to attain the best qualifications possible. The second probable hindrance is the lack of appropriate licenses and certifications. The Construction Management Association of America, for instance, gives a certificate where one has to sit for an exam. I will acquire the review book and start preparing as early as possible. With these certifications, I will stand a safe ground in the competition. I have to be ready for everything. Being a nurse finally will be the best thing in my life. I will be the happiest man, doing what I enjoy, earning from it, and supporting my life and those of my family members.

References

CNNMoney. (2020). Cost of living: How far will my salary go in another city? – Retrieved 14 March 2020, from https://money.cnn.com/calculator/pf/cost-of-living/index.html

VolunteerMatch. (2020). Houston Volunteer Opportunities: Volunteer in Houston | Retrieved 14 March 2020, from https://www.volunteermatch.org/search?l=Houston,%20TX,%20USA

Texas Reality Check (2020). Retrieved 14 March 2020, from https://texasrealitycheck.com/

Occupational Outlook Handbook: : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2020). Retrieved 14 March 2020, from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/

Houston Community Career Coach. (2020). Retrieved 14 March 2020, from https://hccs.emsicc.com/search/careers?q=construction%20&radius=&region=Houston-The%20Woodlands-Sugar%20Land%2C%20TX